Is High Blood Pressure Due to Alcohol Use Reversible?

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Blood pressure is an important medical marker that measures the force of the blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels. When your blood pressure is consistently too high — a condition known as hypertension — you may be at greater risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and other debilitating medical issues. While high blood pressure has many causes, multiple studies have shown a strong link between hypertension and excessive alcohol consumption.

There’s little doubt that chronic alcohol intake poses a serious threat to your health and well-being, but is the damage already done? Is high blood pressure due to alcohol use reversible? To find out, let’s examine how alcohol contributes to hypertension — and what you can do to reverse it.

Does Alcohol Consumption Cause Hypertension?

In most people, hypertension slowly develops over time with no single identifiable cause. However, the relationship between alcohol and elevated blood pressure is clear and well-understood. Your individual risk of experiencing alcohol-related hypertension depends on a wide range of factors, including:

• Duration and volume of alcohol use
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Age, weight and physical health
• History of nicotine or tobacco use
• Diet, lifestyle and activity level
• Stress level and sleep quality

How Alcohol Raises Blood Pressure

Among the many body systems affected by alcohol consumption is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which is responsible for regulating blood pressure. In particular, drinking alcohol increases the production of renin, a hormone that raises blood pressure by constricting blood vessels. It may also trigger the release of cortisol, adrenaline and other stress-related hormones, creating an even stronger hypertensive response.

In addition, alcohol promotes increased production of vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The release of ADH further increases hypertension by causing the body to retain more fluids. More troubling still, alcohol is known to reduce the efficacy of certain blood pressure medications, making the problem even harder to treat.

Binge Drinking vs. Chronic Alcohol Use

While a night of binge drinking may be enough to raise your blood pressure to unhealthy levels, the spike is usually temporary. If heavy drinking is a regular occurrence, however, your blood pressure may never have a chance to normalize. Instead, the effect may compound over time, causing steadily worsening hypertension. For men, heavy drinking is usually defined as five drinks in a given day or 15 in a week. For women, it’s four drinks in a day or eight in a week.

What’s more, chronic alcohol intake can noticeably increase blood pressure even at much lower levels. According to the American Heart Association, consistently consuming even one alcoholic drink per day can contribute to higher blood pressure measurements, particularly in older adults.

Is High Blood Pressure Due to Alcohol Use Reversible?

All of this may sound pretty scary, but there’s also some good news. While alcohol-induced hypertension is a real and significant health issue, it’s not a permanent or long-lasting condition. In fact, medical studies have found it to be a “rapidly reversible” effect that can be overcome in a surprisingly short time.

Healing Starts When Drinking Stops

As it turns out, the relationship between alcohol and blood pressure is a two-way street. Blood pressure may sharply increase after a few drinks, but it can fall just as quickly once alcohol intake is ceased. Of course, this doesn’t just mean occasionally skipping a day between bouts of binge drinking. It takes several days for blood pressure levels to return to normal, and any additional alcohol consumption will cause them to rise again.

Steps To Reverse Alcohol-Induced Hypertension

It’s important to be mindful of how alcohol use may affect your blood pressure, especially if you have existing risk factors for hypertension. After all, your health should always be your top priority. If you’re ready to make a positive change and begin reversing the effects of alcohol-induced hypertension, start with these three simple steps.

1. Limit Your Alcohol Consumption

Not only does alcohol directly increase blood pressure, but it also leads to weight gain, atherosclerosis and other issues that indirectly contribute to hypertension. Consequently, the healthiest choice you can make is to abstain entirely. Alternatively, lowering your alcohol intake by drinking in moderation can help limit the adverse effects and prevent your blood pressure from spiking too high. Experts recommend no more than two drinks per day for men and one per day for women.

2. Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Just as alcohol use isn’t the only cause of hypertension, reducing consumption isn’t the only solution. In fact, there are many things you can do to improve your health and lower your baseline blood pressure. Some of the most effective changes you can make include:

• Eating a heart-healthy DASH or Mediterranean diet
• Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day
• Giving up vaping or smoking cigarettes
• Practicing a form of yoga or meditation
• Developing healthy and positive coping skills

3. Consult a Healthcare Provider

If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, consulting a healthcare provider is one of the best steps you can take. High blood pressure can lead to health problems, and factors such as alcohol use, tobacco use, obesity, and lack of physical activity can increase the risk of complications.

To help your physician make an accurate and informed assessment, it’s crucial to be honest about your lifestyle, including substance use and dietary habits. Additionally, tracking and measuring your blood pressure for a few days before your visit can provide valuable insights and aid in effective treatment planning.

When To Seek Professional Help for Alcohol Use

If the thought of giving up drinking has you feeling stressed, you’re far from alone. Alcohol can produce both physical dependency and psychological addiction, making it difficult to quit even when you know it’s the right thing for your health. What’s more, these conditions often develop so gradually that you may not even realize it’s happened. So, how can you tell if you have a problem with alcohol?

Signs of Problematic Alcohol Intake

Alcohol use disorder, or alcohol addiction, is a disease that can be successfully managed with the right care and support. However, it must be recognized and acknowledged before it can be treated. Although addiction can manifest in a variety of ways, most people display one or more of the following warning signs:

• Frequent, excessive, uncontrolled drinking
• Strong cravings or withdrawal symptoms
• Failure to maintain normal responsibilities
• Alcohol use in dangerous or inappropriate situations
• Loss of interest in friends, family or hobbies
• Unusual changes in mood or behavior

Is Addiction Treatment Right for You?

If you’re one of the estimated 29 million Americans struggling with alcohol addiction due to excessive drinking or even heavy drinking, there’s no shame in admitting you have a problem. Recognizing the need to stop drinking is an essential first step in overcoming addiction and reclaiming your health. The next step? Asking for help.

Breaking free from alcohol addiction and managing alcohol withdrawal can be a long, scary, and potentially dangerous process, especially for heavy drinkers. This is why many people struggle to succeed when trying to quit on their own. Fortunately, there’s a safe and effective solution. With the guidance of professionals and tailored treatment plans, you can transition from excessive drinking to moderate alcohol consumption or sobriety. All it takes is a phone call to your local qualified recovery center.

How Live Free Recovery Services Can Help

If you’re having trouble cutting back on your alcohol use, let Live Free Recovery Services lend a helping hand. We have a team of experts ready to provide high-level care in a friendly, supportive environment designed to promote lasting recovery. In addition, our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with everything you need to get sober — and stay that way.

Comprehensive Addiction Treatment

At Live Free Recovery Services, we recognize that each patient is unique. That’s why we always begin with an in-depth evaluation to assess your individual needs, including the amount of alcohol consumed and the extent of alcohol abuse. This thorough approach allows us to craft a personalized recovery plan tailored to your circumstances.

We offer a full range of services for alcohol addiction, including medical detox, inpatient rehab, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, dual diagnosis treatment, and more. Our programs address how alcoholic beverages and alcohol affect both the body and mind, ensuring comprehensive care for lasting recovery. All services are overseen by qualified specialists, guaranteeing the highest quality of care.

Sustainable Wellness and Recovery

Getting sober is a great accomplishment, but it’s only part of the process. We want to help you go even further, giving you the tools to overcome your addiction and build a foundation for a happier, healthier life. Our programs focus on sustainable changes, including addressing mental health issues, learning new coping skills, and creating a strong and enduring support network.

If chronic alcohol use has raised your blood pressure or is affecting blood pressure regulation, it’s not too late to make a change. Getting sober can help lower blood pressure and reverse the damaging effects of alcohol-induced hypertension. It all starts with taking the first step. Call Live Free Recovery Services today and get the help you need to start living the life you’ve always wanted!